Marjorie Lucille Bauer Steinbarger

Born of this earth on 02ndJLY1928, Marjorie lived quietly and well until the ravages of Alzheimer’s quelled her spirit. She journeyed home to God on 26thNOV2016

Marjorie is pre-deceased by her loving and dedicated husband of 53 years, William Gordon Steinbarger, of Franklin, IN, and by her adored second son, Michael, who returned to God at birth.

Marjorie is survived by her adult children: Jennifer S. Makris (spouse Nicholas) of Norwalk, CT; James B. Steinbarger (spouse Shirley) of Green Bay, WI. Additionally, her three adult grandsons embrace their “Grandma” in her reunion with family and heavenly host: Christopher William Steinbarger (spouse Jaclyn) of Green Bay, WI; Scott James Steinbarger (spouse Holly) of Minneapolis, MN; David Michael Steinbarger (spouse Beth) of Green Bay, WI.

Although cognitive disease and physical distance prevented her from meeting them in person, Marjorie’s joy and spirit are rekindled in her great-grandchildren: James Edward Steinbarger and Ahnora Taw Steinbarger, of Green Bay, WI.

Marjorie was ever the optimist, regardless of the many (and there WERE many) challenges that life tossed her way. She was orphaned early in life — first at age 11, and again at age 14 — by the diseases that returned her parents to heaven. She strived to be the best she could, and made her adoptive Aunt Rose of Cincinnati, OH proud with her many academic and social accomplishments.

Her work as a candy-striper in high school inspired her love of medicine, and fostered her goal of being a nurse. It was the medical staff of the local hospital who made that dream a reality, and raised the funds needed to sponsor her full scholarship to nursing school. Then, early in her nursing career, she lost her eyesight while caring for a similarly blind patient.

Marjorie’s Catholic faith, Midwestern practicality, and her British ancestry (stiff upper lip, and all) were the bedrock of her approach to life. She took the time to acquire the skills needed to navigate her “new normal,” then married a tall and handsome WWII veteran, who swept her off her feet and reinforced a lifetime passion of music and dance.

Having co-raised two reasonably accomplished teenaged children, Marjorie reignited her ever-curious intellect and returned to university. With her Seeing Eye shepherd guiding her way, she achieved a second Bachelor’s degree, and then a Master’s degree – Magna Cum Laude each. She went on to professional satisfaction in counseling others with rehabilitation needs.
Marjorie loved life in all its manifestations. With her beloved Bill, she gardened, cooked, traveled, danced, enjoyed music in all its varieties, and danced some more. She had a very firm grip on this earthly plane. Where most people with a terminal diagnosis of Alzheimer’s have an average life-span of 6.5 years, she proceeded to thrive and then quietly survived for 14+. She passed on to God, surrounded by the caring staff and ministry of Notre Dame Convalescent Home and Home Instead Senior Care.

Memorial services for a quiet life, well lived, will take place on 10th DEC 2016, at Collins Funeral Home in Norwalk, CT – 92 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851.